Paper feeding, cutting, and registering mechanism



N. E. FUNK March 27, 1951 PAPER FEEDING, CUTTING, AND REGISTERINGMECHANISM Filed Jan. 12, 1946 2 Sheefcs-Sheet l INVENTOR. Mwm [TH/Mr vMMQ N. E. FUNK March 27, 1951 PAPER FEEDING, CUTTING, AND REGISTERINGMECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 12, 1946 I m q 35w ww I ll Nam-ENINVENTQR. Q 54 504 Z. fa/wr BY Patented Mar. 27, 1951 PAPER FEEDING,CUTTING, AND REGISTERING MECHANISM Nelson E. Funk, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Application January 12, 1946, Serial No. 640,798

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in paper feeding, cutting andregistering mechanism.

The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide a papercutting, feeding and registering mechanism which is well adapted fordelivering paper in the form of sheets to a printing press inregistering relation thereto.

Second, to provide a machine or apparatus for feeding paper from a rollto a cutter and from the cutter in side and end registering relation toa printing press or other machine.

Third, to provide a machine of this character in which the paper may bereadily adjusted for cutting and delivering of sheets of considerablevariation in length.

Fourth, to provide an apparatus of this character in which the sheetsare out to very accurate lengths and are delivered in accurate register.

Fifth, to provide a structure embodying these several advantages whichis comparatively simple and at the same time positive in performing itsfunctions of feeding, cutting and registering delivery.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appearfrom the description to folfunctioning relation, and various parts beingshown mainly in conventional form.

v Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of parts of the structureshown in Fig. 1, parts being shown in horizontal section.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in transverse sectionon line 33 of Fig. 2 showing details of the feed and registeringmechanism.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view mainly in longitudinal section online 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section through the cutterrolls or cylinders, with the knives in cutting position.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section on line 66 of Fig. 2showing details of the driven sheet feed roller which is provided withan overrunning or one way clutch.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in longitudinal sectionillustrating certain details of the paper delivery and registeringmeans.

Fig. 8 is a plan view showing diagrammatically the relative positions ofthe paper web and cutting knife and the cut made by the knife.

In the accompanying drawings, I represents the frame of a printingpress, 2 the impression cylinder, 3 the type or printing cylinder, and 4the transfer cylinder for transferring the sheets from the registrytable or bed 5 to the impression cylinder. The transfer cylinder 4 has aregistering stop 6. The sheet grippers or other pickup means of thetransfer cylinder are not illustrated as they form no part of thisinvention and are understood by those skilled in the art to which theinvention relates. The stop 6 is adjustable and suitable means foreffecting this adjustment are likewise known in the art and are notshown. The frame 1 is designed to support various moving parts to bedescribed. Side rails 8 extend between the frame of the printing pressand this frame 1 and support the feed bed or table 5. The frame 1 isprovided with bearings 9 to receive the roll supporting spindle H] ofthe roll of paper II. The web of paper is provided with a suitable brakeor drag means not illustrated. The paper is drawn from the roll II anddelivered into a loop l2 by a paper feed unit comprising the coactingfeed rollers 13 and 14, the feed roller l3 being the driven feed rollerand the roller 14 being a pressure roller. In the embodiment illustratedthe roller I4 is in the form of a plurality of wheels having rubber rimsl5. The shaft I6 of these pressure wheels is carried on arms I! on thetransverse rod l8. Arms IS on this transverse rod l8 support the thrustsprings 20.

From the loop I2 the web designated by the numeral 2| passes over thealigning guide 22 to the second feed unit comprising the driven feedroller 23 and coacting pressure roller 24 which is desirably of the samestructure as the pressure rollers described for the first feed unit. Thefeed roller 23 is provided with a shaft 25 having a sprocket gear 26while the shaft 21 of the feed roller 13 is provided with a sprocketwheel 28. The shaft of the pre sure rollers 24 is carried by arms I! onthe transverse rod-29 corresponding to the rod l8 and. has the pressuremeans as described for the firstunit.

The web is advanced by'the second feed unit to the coacting rotarycutters designated generally by the numerals 3| and 32, these cuttersbeing provided with shafts 33 and 34 positioned at an angle to the pathof'travel of the web as shown in Fig. 2. The rotary cutters are providedwith disk-like end bearers 31 and axially spaced feed disks or bearers38. The bearers 31 are of the diameter of the meshing drive gears 39 onthe It will be noted that the gripping portions are disposed inangularly stepped relation aboutithe rotary cutters. tion illustrated,which is a commercial embodiment, the knives are disposed at an angle ofapproximately one and one-half degrees angular.

relation to the axes of the rotary cutters or cylinders and are set atthe same angle so that the knives start cutting atone edge of a web andmake-;a'.-'smooth cut-across the-web, the result beingastraightright-angled out across the web. The gripping'segments, are. of suchlength asto grip-1theweb from the beginning tothe end of the cutso; thatthere'is, no relativeslippage; The leading. edges of the-grippingsegments' 4e and M will first-gripthe webas the segments are rotatedinto-coacting;relationship;on opposite sides of theweb; As rotation ofthe-cutter progresses and the-knivesarebrought intolapping shearingengagement;.there-wi1l*be some, depression of the leading portionof'th'e resilient gripping segments ahead of the blades by reason'ofengagement .of the. lower blade with the resilient gripper, ahead of;the1:upper-.-blade as; is illustrated in: Fig-l 5;However;before-retraction-aor compression-of the leading portion ;of theresilient gripper has progressedsufiiciently to release thenewly severedportion of. the web, the rear trailing portion of the resilientgripperwill have-moved into gripping-relation with-the web behind the blades.

At therearof the cutter-unit I provide a sheet feed unitwhich alsoserves to support the end of the .web at the rear of the cutter'unitduring thescutting operation This unit comprises the feed -rollerg42mounted on theshaft 43-and having a,-driving-connection therewith; Thecoact ing-pressure roller 44 isof therubber tired wheel type adescribedfor the previously described feed unitsand its shaft I44 is-carriedbyarms 45 on therockshaft 46;-

Thissheetfeed unitis mounted on-supports-or slides-4l adjustablelongitudinally of the side rails 8, the side rails being slotted-at .48toreceive the. clamping bolts 49 by means of which'the supports; orslides are secured intheir adjusted positions. As the'cutterbegins-making abut. the pressure wheels are lifted: from pressure con.-tact-.withtheweb. Thesmeans for doing this in the embodiment illustratedcomprises the cam 58 on the-shaft 34 of the lowerrcutter cylinder, thiscamtcoacting witha cam follower roller 5! on; the-levery52wwhich isconnected by the link-53 toitheearm. 54 'on..the;rockshaft .46.Thespring 55 :holds:the follower "againstthe cam and serves to: lif-tithexpressure 3301161? "when it :is released: by the cam. The lengthof.jthe=.linki:53;.is adjustable asza-t '553A to; accommodateadjustmentsv of the slides '41 of-rthe feed unit.

To'prevent any unduestrcss onzthe. web while it: is engaged; bythegripping segments the 7 sprockets. wheels $262011: thesfeed"rollerishaft' 25 are-desirably provided-with:anoverrunning clutch whichmay-be :of :the roller: type illustrated in Fig: 6: The control of thepressure roller "44 is.

suchzthaton-th'e completion of the cut and release .75 web is movedtransversely, the pressure ro1lers58 In the embodiment of the inven ofthe web by the cutter the pressure roller 44 is brought into contactwith the cut sheet which is advanced on the feed table 5 until its edgecontacts the feed roller 58 of the delivery and registering unit. Thisfeed roller 58 is driven at a slightly higher circumferential speed thanthe transfer cylinder 4.

The driving connections illustrated. include the sprocket 56 on theshaft 51 of the roller-58 which is connected by the sprocket chain 6!!to a sprocket 6[ on the shaft 43. The shaft 43 is provided with asprocket wheel 62 which is connected by the sprocket-chain 63 to thesprockets on the feed roller shafts Z5 and 21. One of the gears 39 of@the rotary cutter is connected by an intermediate gear. 66. to. agearfil on the shaft 43. Primary driving energy is delivered to one ofthe gears 39 from asuitable source, not shown. To vary the length of thesheet cutja gear 66, which meshes withgearfilzwhich drives asprocket at62, which drives-.asprocket. at 28 (Fig-2) .on the feed .rolll3 can bechanged to another gear fifihaving a differentnumber-ofteeth thereon, ifthe shaft on which gear-fidismountcd is'madeadjustable as toposition..onthe frame-.- This will .eifect a variation in the feedof-theweb and so vary the lengths cut by the'uniformly driven cutter:roll. The'roll 58 has a resilient or yielding; face 59:

Feed pressure ball 68 are provided to coact with the roller 58, theseballs being rotatably supportedrinholders filcarried on. the crossmember 'Mkmountedon the side rails 8; These pressure rollerspermitlateralshifting ofthe sheet as well as the feeding thereof. As thesheet engages the feed roller58 it is.drawn.out; ofcontact with the feedroller tizand, coactin pressure-roller 44, a portionof the sheet'beingsupported by the table. At the rear of the roller 58 I provide a suctionregistering means comprising the shaft H which is connectedv by thegears 1'2. and the 1 meshing gears 13 tothe'shaftfilof the-roller 58.This shaftfll -is mounted for axial movementand is provided with ayielding faced sheet supporting roller. l4;

At. eachend of. this roller Ml provide a suction drum B5,:thes suctiondrums beingfixed to the shaft and each having a peripheral series ofsuction holes lfi preferably arranged in staggered relation. Thesesuction drumsembrace the suc- 0 tion heads H which are non-rotatablymounted onbrackets 'lficarried bythe cross piece 10. The suction :headshave restricted recess-like chambers F9-with which the suction holes ofthe drums are successively brought into register as the drums rotate.Thesuction heads are connected by flexible hosetothe branch pipe-8|connected toqasuitable-source of vacuum, as the vacuum pump 82shownconventionally in ,Fig, 2. The pipe or conduit 8! is providediwith.a solenoid controlled ,valve 83 also shownconventionally in The-shaftll, being supported for axial movement, in its bearings-84, isactuatedto laterally registenthesheets, and;.this is in timed relationto'theirotationofthe tr.ansfer.:cy1inder 4. The meansrillustrated. for;accomplishing this. comprises a cam 85 on theishaft '86 .ofzthe transfercylinder, this-camcoacting with a lever 81 providediwith'a'rollerfollower 88. The lever is connectedcbythe link89ltoone arm of the bellcrank lever 90 pivoted at 9|, theother arm .of the lever being forkedto: engage the'shiftin collar 92 of thershaft Tl As the .suction feedrolleris shifted'axially, the

- permitting this shifting without undue stress on the sheet orwrinkling of the sheet. The shifting of the sheet laterally brings itinto contact with the switch actuating arm 93 of the switch 94 shownconventionally in Fig. 2, the connection for the switch to the solenoidactuated valve 83 being conventionally shown at 95. The sheet isadvanced against the positioning stop 6 of the transfer roller and thusproperly registered longitudinally, and at the same time is shiftedlaterally and properly registered transversely.

I have illustrated an embodiment of my invention as I have adapted thesame for feeding and registering in a printing press. My inventionhowever may be readily adapted for use in other relations or in otherpaper conveying machines Without bringing the sheets to a stop as isusual in a conventional paper feeding and cutting mechanism. Variousparts are illustrated more or less conventionally in the accompanyingdrawing and I have not illustrated the source of power. This may beapplied through the gear 12, for example, or through a pulley providedfor the purpose on the shaft H, or through one of the gears 39.

I have not illustrated or described the various adaptations orembodiments of my invention contemplated as it is believed thisdisclosure will enable those skilled in the art to adapt my invention asmay be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of cutter meanscomprising coacting rotary cutters driven at the same speed and havingaxially spaced feed disks, the disks having angularly stepped Workgripping segments, the segments of one cutter being resilient, those ofthe other being non-resilient, knives mounted in said work grippingsegments in angularly inclined relation relative to the axes of thecutters, means for aligning and feedin a web to said cutter means, asheet feed means at the rear of said cutter means positioned to receivethe sheets therefrom and comprising supports adjustable to and from thecutter means, a driven shaft mounted on said supports, a sheet feed rollon said' shaft, a press roller shaft, a rockshaft mounted on saidsupports and provided with supporting arms for said press roller shaft,a press roll mounted on said press roller shaft to coact with said sheetfeed roll, a cam on the shaft of one of said cutters, a lever providedwith a follower coacting with said cam, and a second arm on saidrockshaft having a link connection to said lever, said cam beingarranged so that the sheet feed means is non-operating during thecutting period of the cutter means.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of cutter meanscomprising coacting rotary cutters driven at the same speed and havingaxially spaced feed disks, the disks having angularly stepped Workgripping segments, the segments of one cutter being resilient, those ofthe other being non-resilient, knives mounted in said work grippingsegments in angularly inclined relation relative to the axes of thecutters, means for aligning and feedin a web to said cutter means, asheet feed means at the rear of said cutter means positioned to receivethe sheets therefrom and comprising supports adjustable to and from thecutter means, a driven shaft mounted on said supports, a sheet feed rollon said shaft, a press roller shaft, a rockshaft mounted on saidsupports and provided with supporting arms for said press roller shaft,a press roll mounted on said press roller shaft to coact with said sheetfeed roll, and means for actuating said rockshaft to disengage the pressroll timed with the cuttin of the web.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination of cutter meanscomprising rotary cutters driven at the same speed and having axiallyspaced feed disks, the disks having angularly stepped work grippingsegments, the segments of one cutter being resilient, those of the otherbeing non-resilient, knives mounted in said work gripping segments inangularly inclined relation relative to the axes of the cutters, firstand second web feed units disposed in advance of said cutter means andeach comprising a feed roller and coacting pressure roller, the firstfeed unit being adapted to deliver the web into a loop in advance of thesecond feed unit, the second feed unit delivering to the cutters, webaligning means disposed in advance of the second feed unit to receivethe loop and align the Web as it enters the second feed unit, and asheet feed means at the rear of said cutter means position to receivethe sheets therefrom comprising a sheet feed roller, a press rollercoacting therewith, and a means acting to disengage said press rollerduring the cutting period of the cutter means.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination of cutter meanscomprising coacting rotary cutters driven at the same speed and havingaxially spaced feed disks, the disks having angularly stepped workgripping segments, the segments of one cutter being resilient, those ofthe other being non-resilient, knives mounted in said work grippingsegments an angularly inclined relation relative to the axes of thecutters, means for aligning and feeding a web to said cutter means, anda sheet feed means at the rear of said cutter means positioned toreceive the sheets therefrom comprising a sheet feed roller, a pressroller coacting therewith, and means acting to disengage said pressroller during the cutting period of the cutter means.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combinationv of cutter meanscomprising coacting rotary cutters driven at the same speed and havingaxially spaced feed disks, the disks having angularly stepped workgripping elements, the segments of one cutter being resilient, those ofthe other being non-resilient, knives mounted in said work grippingsegments in angularly inclined relation relative to the axes of thecutters, first and second web feed units disposed in advance of saidcutter means and. each comprising a feed roller and coacting pressureroller, the first feed unit being adapted to deliver the web into a loopin advance of the second feed unit, the second feed unit delivering tothe cutters, web aligning means disposed in advance of the second feedunit to receive the loop and align the web as it enters the second feedunit, a sheet feed means at the rear of said cutter means positioned toreceive the sheets therefrom comprising, a driven shaft, a sheet feedroll on said shaft having a connection thereto, a press roller shaft, arockshaft provided with supporting arms for said press roller shaft, apress roll mounted on said press roller shaft to coact With said sheetfeed roll, a cam on the shaft of one of said cutters, a lever providedwith a follower coacting with said cam, and a second arm on saidrockshaft having a link connection to said lever, said cam beingarranged so that the sheet feed means is "non-operating during thecutting periodof the cutter means.

angularly stepped work gripping segments, the

segments of onecutter being resilient, those of 'theother beingnon-resilient, knives mounted intermediate of the angularly spaced endsof said work gripping segments in angularly inclined relation relativeto the axes of the cutters, and

:means for aligning and feeding a web to said outter means.

7. In a machineoi theclass described, the combination of; a cutter meansincluding rotary .cut-

ters having axially spaced angularly stepped co- :acting work grippingsegments, the segments of one cutter being resilient, knives mounted insaid work gripping segments in angularly inclined relation to the axesof the cutters, means for aligning and feeding a web to said rotarycutters, a sheet feed means disposed at the rear of said cutter meansand comprising a feed roller provided with a driving means, a coactingpress roller shiftable toand from operative relation to said feedroller, and means forv shifting said press roller in timed relation tothe cutters whereby the sheet feed means is non-operating duringthecutting period of the cutter means.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a cuttermeans including rotary cutters having axially spaced angularly steppedcoacting work gripping segments, the segments oi one cutter beingresilient, knives mounted in said work gripping segments in angularlyinclined relation to the axes of the cutters, a sheet feed meansdisposed at the rear of said cutter means and comprising a feed rollerprovided with a driving means, a coacting press roller shiftable to andfrom operative relation to said feed roller, and means for shifting saidpress roller in timed relation to the cutters whereby the sheet feedmeans is non-operating during the cutting period of the cutter means.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a cuttermeans including rotary cutters having knives mounted in angularlyinclined relation to the axes of the cutters, a sheet feed meansdisposed at the rear of said cutter means and comprising a feed rollerprovided with a driving means, a coacting press roller shiftable to andfrom operative relation to said feed roller, and means for shifting saidpress roller in timed relation to the cutters whereby the sheet feedmeans is non-operating during the cutting period of the cutter means.

10. In combination, coacting rotary cylinders having axially spacedangularly stepped coacting Work gripping segments, the segments of oneroller being resilient, and knives mounted intermediate of the angularlyspaced ends of said work gripping segments in angularly inclinedrelation to the axes of the cutters.

11. Ina machine of the class described, the combination of cutter meansfor cutting a web into sheets while the Web is in movement, the cuttermeans also constituting web advancing means,.a sheet feed means at therear of said cutter means "positioned to receive the sheets therefrom,said sheet'ieed means comprising a sheet feed roller, a press rollershiftable to and from operative relation to said sheet feed roller, andmeans for shifting said press roller timed to render the: sheet feedmeans non-operating during the cutting period of the cutter means.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination of cutter meansfor cutting a web into sheets while the web is in movement, the cuttermeans also constituting web advancing means; first and second web feedunits disposed in advance of saidcutter means and each comprising a feedroller and coacting pressure roller, the first feed .unit being adaptedto deliver the web into a loop in advance of the second feed unit, thesecond feed unit delivering to the cutter means, web alining meansdisposed in advance of the second feed unit to receive the loop andaline theweb as it enters the second feed unit, a sheet feed means atthe rear of said cutter means positioned to receive the sheetstherefrom, said sheet feed means comprising a feed roller havingadriving connection, a press roller shiftable to and from operativerelation to said feed roller, and means for shifting said press rollertimed to render the sheet feed means non-operating during the cuttingperiod of the cutter means.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination of cutter meansfor cutting a web into sheets while the web is in movement, a sheet feedmeans at the rear of said cutter means positioned to receive the sheetstherefrom and mounted for adjustment to and from the cutter means, saidsheet feed means comprising a feed roller having a driving connection, apress roller shiftable to and from operative relation to said feedroller, and means for shifting said press roller timed to render thesheet feed means nonoperating during the cutting period of the cuttermeans.

14. In a machine of the class described, the combination of cutter meansfor cutting a web into sheets while the web is in movement, a sheet feedmeans at the rear of said cutter means positioned to receive the-sheetstherefrom, said sheet feed means comprising a feed roller having adriving connection, a press roller shiftable to and from operativerelation to said feed roller, and means for shifting said press rollertimed to render the sheet feed means non-operating during the cuttingperiod of .the cutter means.

NELSON E. FUNK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 444,137 Scott Jan. 6, 18911,353,087 Swift Sept. 14, 1920 1,489,045 Stevens Apr. 1, 1924 1,558,140Zuckerman Oct. 20, 1925 2,067,300 Willis Jan. 12, 1937 2,146,274 vSternFeb. 7, 1939 2,181,935 Carroll Dec. 5, 1939 2,225,529 Beall Dec. 17,1940

